Page 57 of Wolf Touched

You pretended you were going to kiss me then stole my last piece of bacon. I require payment of some sort.

I grinned, ready to quip back at him, when something agonizing sliced through me like someone was trying to rip off my skin.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Igroaned, hunching over. The once amazing flavor of bacon turned overwhelmingly salty from the pain and nausea that had hit. I gasped for air, but the pain intensified, and I whimpered.

Raffe stood, knocking his barstool into the back of Keith’s chair.

“What thehell, man?” Keith said loudly as Raffe touched my shoulder, keeping me in my chair.

His fear and concern swarmed my chest, adding to the uncomfortable sensations that made me feel as if my skin was being separated from bone.

“What’s wrong, Sky?” Josie asked, turning to me.

I … I don’t know.I couldn’t speak out loud. Forming words through the pack link was a struggle through the intense pain.It feels like coven magic but stronger.All the other times, coven magic had felt like sandpaper, not sharp like a knife.I don’t know what it is.

My power jolted, responding to whatever was charging through me, and my wolf edged forward in my chest.

“Can you carry her into the living room?” Dru asked, and I heard chairs scraping the wooden floor. “I’ll get my supplies and see if we can determine what’s wrong.” The concern in his voice was deep and troubled.

I shook my head slightly.It’s nothing he can treat.My power edged to a hum, and I tried to focus on my connection with Raffe to lessen its strength. I didn’t want to rip the house apart.

What do you mean?Raffe bent down so we were at eye level.

Eyes burning, I blinked fast to hold back tears. The more I fell apart, the more worried he’d be, and there wasn’t anything he could do about this.It’s magic, but it’s superstrong and nothing I’ve ever felt before.I breathed through clenched teeth, every breath adding to the agony. I wanted to curl into the fetal position, hoping if I got small enough, it wouldn’t hurt all over.

“Get the coven.” Raffe’s head snapped toward the others. “Now!” Alpha will laced his voice, though close to half of the people he was commanding weren’t wolves.

“It might be faster if someone calls them,” Lucy offered. “I can drive there to get them fast.”

Sweat dripped between my breasts, and I realized my heart was racing. I’d take being dizzy from blood loss overthisany day. I just wanted the agony to end. Even Raffe’s touch wasn’t making a significant difference. My entire focus hinged on trying not to get skinned, or whatever the magical equivalent was to that.

“I’ll go with you,” Fane offered as more chairs scuffed the floor.

Each noise pierced my brain like a bomb going off. All my senses were on overload, fighting whatever this was. My control wasslipping.

“Hurry,” Octavia said, and I heard buttons being pressed on a phone.

She was calling somebody.

I locked my eyes on my empty white plate, my gaze tracing the streaks of grease left by my bacon.

Babe, what can I do?Raffe linked, pressing his forehead against mine.

My chest tightened, adding to my extreme discomfort. I felt like I had yesterday when I couldn’t help him or stop him from bleeding.

Helpless.

I focused on the one truth that might comfort him.You being here helps.I sure as hell was stronger with him beside me.

A door opened and closed, informing me that Lucy and Fane had left. I hoped Priestess Caroline could help. We’d gotten lucky with Raffe yesterday.

The phone line rang twice before someone answered. The voice was young and sounded like Faith. “Hello?”

“I need you to get your grandmother and come here. Something’s wrong with Divinity.” Octavia’s voice rose. “She’s in intense pain, and it came on suddenly.”

“Nana left a minute ago, heading that way,” Faith answered. “We feel something here as well, but nothing like what Divinity must be feeling.”

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